Tuesday, February 28, 2012

On Friday, I shared the story
of Bertina Jones, a resident of Bowie, Maryland, whose home was
auctioned off by Bank
of America. She lives under the threat of eviction by Freddie
Mac, despite the fact that she has done everything she was told
to do and has the ability to make her mortgage payments. Despite her
desire and financial ability to remain in her home, the banks have
refused to listen. They thought they could ignore her and take her
home away.

Until yesterday. On Monday, folks from
Occupy
Our Homes DC showed up at Freddie Mac's offices in downtown DC to
insist that this government
sponsored bank be responsive to the needs of ordinary citizens.
Bertina Jones, along with a few community representatives, entered
the offices and attempted to deliver a letter to the executives
inside. Meanwhile, we rallied outside the entrances to the office
complex. We chanted, we sang, we performed street theater.

We did our best to let the public know
how Freddie Mac is taking advantage of ordinary citizens, throwing
them out of their homes. Above all, we made sure executives at
Freddie Mac know that we see what they are doing, and that we will
continue to disrupt their business as usual until they make it their
business to seek justice for the needy.

I am pleased to say that the
Occupy Church was out in force, playing our own particular role
in this important action. We began our vigil in McPherson Square,
processing through downtown DC with a paper-mâché golden calf on
our shoulders. Robed clergy carried the cross ahead of us as we
walked through throngs of office workers and men in expensive suits.
Our best song was definitely the foreclosure resistance remix of
"Down By the Riverside," with lyrics such as, "We're
gonna call out predatory banks, down by the riverside... And live in
debt no more!"

After a long procession through the
city, we arrived at the demostration fashionably late. It seemed as
though our arrival had a positive effect, and we were grateful to be
able to lift up the Church's witness that God stands with the poor
and those who are struggling under heavy burdens of debt. I was
reminded of Jesus'
words in Luke 18, where he observed that even a corrupt judge
will listen to those who agitate with persistence. How much more will
God listen to we who cry out to him day and night for justice?

"I tell you, God will see that
[we] get justice, and quickly" (Luke
18:8). Sometimes a lot more quickly than we expect. Almost
immediately following our mid-day action downtown, Freddie
Mac promised to work towards a "positive resolution,"
which would allow Bertina Jones to remain in her home. This is
potentially a huge breakthrough, showing that the corrupt judges that
reign over our financial sector can indeed be swayed by our incessant
cries for justice. If we keep up the pressure, we may be able to
rescue many more homes from the clutches of foreclosure-happy banks.

It is important to remember, however,
that the battle is not yet won. Bertina's home remains in jeopardy
until the ink is dry on a contract which guarantees the just
reinstatement of her mortgage. Until we have legally-binding
guarantees from Freddie Mac (and, perhaps, Bank of America) that
Bertina's home is safe, we cannot let up the pressure. We will not be
distracted by empty words and false promises. Even as we hope for the
best, we are prepared to defend Bertina from eviction. If the big
banks want to take her home away, they must be aware that we will not
go quietly.

We will continue to cry out for
justice, trusting that God hears our voice - and that, eventually,
the rulers of this world will, too. We know that there are thousands
of people just like Bertina here in the DC metro area, and we will
not rest until the big banks have heard their cries for justice. This
is just the beginning.